Former Manchester City Prospect Courtney Meppen-Walter Dies Aged 32

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Courtney Meppen-Walter at the age of 32," the club said in an official statement. "The thoughts and deepest condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The defender was once regarded as one of English football's brightest prospects, developing through Manchester City's academy and even captaining the England Under-18 side. However, his promising career was severely derailed by legal troubles.

Manchester City severed ties with him in 2013 after he was handed a 16-month prison sentence for causing death by careless driving. The high-speed collision in Manchester tragically claimed the lives of 32-year-old Kulwant Singh and his 37-year-old sister Ravel Kaur, who had fled Afghanistan to the UK in 2001 to escape the Taliban. The court found that alcohol was not a factor in the incident. Meppen-Walter served half of his sentence before being released.

Following his release from prison, he attempted to rebuild his football career with Carlisle United, where he spent two seasons. He subsequently featured for a host of lower-league and non-league clubs, including Ashton United, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Chorley, AFC Telford United, Radcliffe, Guiseley, Nantwich Town, Bury, and Stalybridge Celtic. Bury had parted ways with him in the summer of 2025 following a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic.

In 2019, while playing for Chorley, he ran into further trouble behind the wheel. Police stopped him in Manchester city centre for driving under the influence of alcohol, registering 85 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath—substantially above the legal limit of 35 micrograms. As reported by the Daily Mail, he was issued a 22-month driving ban, a 12-month community order, and 80 hours of unpaid work.

"I know what you and everyone else are probably thinking," Meppen-Walter told the court at the time. "I'll probably be called every name under the sun, and I deserve it. I'm just ashamed."

His defence solicitor, Caitriona McLaughlin, highlighted his genuine remorse and emphasised that it was his only alcohol-related offence. Chair of the bench Margaret Hutchinson underlined the gravity of the situation when delivering the sentence: "We hope this has been a lesson to you and we will not see you in court again. Drink-driving is a very serious offence and the consequences could have been much more tragic."